John T. Gordon was a law enforcement officer and father to an 11-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl. On May 18, 2008, John was riding his motorcycle on Ohio State Route 4 when a young man driving a truck swerved into oncoming traffic. John was struck and died instantly from a broken neck. Records later showed that the driver was using his cell phone at the time of the crash.

John and Lois Gordon, John's parents, are now advocates against distracted driving.